Assault Breacher Vehicle

Minefield breaching vehicle

The Assault Breacher
Vehicle was specially designed to clear pathways through minefields

Entered service

2008

Crew

2 men

Dimensions and weight

Weight

~ 50 t

Length

12 m

Hull length

~ 7.9
m

Width

~ 3.6
m

Height

~ 2.4 m

Mobility

Engine

Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine

Engine power

1 500 hp

Maximum road speed

~ 70 km/h

Range

~ 500 km

Maneuverability

Gradient

60%

Side slope

40%

Vertical step

1 m

Trench

2.7 m

Fording

1.2 m

Fording (with preparation)

2 m

The Assault
Breacher Vehicle (ABV) was developed to meet the operational
requirements of the US Marine Corps. It is also known as the
Breacher or Shredder. This combat engineering vehicle
was specially designed to clear pathways through minefields,
creating safe lanes for other vehicles. It
allows assault units to move rapidly through obstacles, before enemy
forces establish defenses. First prototypes of the ABV were
completed in 2002. The Breacher became operational in 2008. In 2009 it
saw combat in Afghanistan. The US Marine Corps
ordered a total of 45 systems. Later the US Army
ordered 187 of these vehicles, instead of the cancelled
Grizzly.
The Grizzly
was a similar combat engineering vehicle, which was cancelled in
2001 and never reached production.

The Assault
Breacher Vehicle is based on a modified
M1A1 Abrams main battle tank
chassis. It is worth mentioning, that the ABV uses refurbished
Abrams MBT chassis, supplied from surplus Army stocks. Turret of the
M1A1 has been removed and replaced by a new superstructure. A number
of proven sub-systems have been used on this combat engineering
vehicle to reduce development time and cost. Pearson Engineering of
the United Kingdom supplied a number of specially designed
engineering accessories for this vehicle. These include full width
and surface mine ploughs, combat dozer blades, rapid ordnance
removal systems, lane marking systems. This equipment can be rapidly
fitted or removed, depending on mission requirements.

The Breacher
is fitted with two launchers for mine clearing line charges,
mounted on the rear of the superstructure. These are rockets,
carrying explosives up to 100-150 m forward, detonating mines, bombs
or IEDs at a safe distance. In this way it makes safety lanes in the
minefields for troops and armored vehicles.

The ABV is capable of
supporting the current fleet of US Marines armored vehicles,
including the M1A1 Abrams MBT.

A
superstructure of the ABV is fitted with the latest explosive
reactive armor package. It provides higher level of protection
against anti-tank weapons with HEAT warheads, such as RPG rounds.
This breaching vehicle is heavily armored and can withstand mine
damage.

The Assault
Breacher Vehicle is operated by a crew of two, including
commander and driver. It has an option for remote control and can be operated
from a distance without the crew. This combat
engineering vehicle is armed with a cupola-mounted 12.7-mm machine
gun, which is operated by the vehicle commander.

The Breacher
is powered by Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine, developing 1 500
hp. It is a multi-fuel engine, which can run on kerosene, diesel,
petrol or aviation fuel. It has servicing intervals significantly
longer than of diesel engines, however it is troublesome to maintain
and has very high fuel consumption comparing with diesels. Engine
can be replaced in field conditions within 30 minutes. This armored engineering
vehicle has speed and mobility to keep up with Abrams tanks during
combat operations. The Assault Breacher
Vehicle also has a deep fording capability.